At 1:00 am on September 12, 1918, accompanied by rain and lightning, the American Army launched its first major offensive of World War I. Supported by French Colonial troops, the American IV and V Corps burst through the weakened German line at St. Mihiel and seized numerous objectives while taking over 16,000 prisoners and capturing over 400 guns. Although American tactics remain suspect, and the operation cost 7,000 US casualties, the battle was heralded as a huge Allied victory. More importantly, it demonstrated to the French and British that the Americans were capable of large-scale, combined-arms operations. Packed with photos, artwork and battle maps, this book explains the entire offensive in detail.

The tide turns
Creation of the American Army
Chronology
Opposing commanders
Opposing armies
Opposing plans
Into the breach
Aftermath
The battlefield today
Further reading
Index

David Bonk is a lifelong student of military history and an historical miniatures wargamer. He is a member of the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society East, serving on the Board of Directors for six years. He studies and wargames the Renaissance, wars of the 18th and 19th centuries, and both world wars. He lives in North Carolina, USA.